[When did Hotmesh publish the data?][Didn't you check your phone?] [We only found out after we were called about it. I mean, we are the leading research center for cardiovascular diseases, but Hotmesh somehow beat us to publish that data. What is that if not a slap on our collective faces? Can we even maintain our reputation from now on?][Yeah.]…[Is that milk… spiked?][You catch on quick. Yes, I spiked it—the caller just now insisted that I bring you in. The investigation concluded that you were the one who stole our data, and if I don't bring you in, my whole career would be over. This is my only option if I don't want to be fired before my retirement.][Give up already. I knew you're sharp, so I kept the dosage at a level where you'd never notice until you lost consciousness completely.]…The lip-reading script was enough for Isaac to get the picture—Irene must have stolen vital research data from Mead Clinic, and was covertly taken back to Minerva.The world certain
Something must have happened, and Stephen was definitely lying!"Then do you know that Irene was abducted for stealing Mead Clinic's research data? Tell me—who did you give it to?" Isaac was doing all he could to restrain his temper. Right now, what he must do was to get the full picture before coming up with an idea to rescue Irene.He would have flipped out in an instant because Stephen was being secretive, but he ultimately managed to stay calm."What?!" Stephen exclaimed in surprise. "That's impossible—the agreement was for Hotmesh Research to keep the data and develop a working prototype for the fully artificial heart in secret before announcing it nationally—""Did you know that they already announced it?" Isaac showed him the publication right then. "They now have the attention of everyone else in the business now, too."Stephen's eyes widened after he scanned through the paper and snapped, "They broke their promise! They're throwing Irene under the bus!""At least you
"The director doesn't actually know…"Before Tobey could finish, Stephen had already cut him short. "You're the deputy director, but you're saying that you don't have the director's approval to publish that paper? Do you take us for idiots?""No, you misunderstand—what I meant was that the director does not know about the data," Tobey admitted. "He's at the age where he should retire soon, whereas I must contribute if I want to be promoted…""So you published the data and tried to pass it off as your own?!" Stephen's hands were clenched into fists—Irene had trusted him so much and handed him something so important.However, it was his own inability to find the right people that her effort went to waste, and now, she was in danger."Did you think you were going to make it just because you did this? I'll talk to the director and tell him the truth!" Stephen was beside himself with rage at Tobey's betrayal and continued, saying, "I trusted you—handed you something so monumental o
Tobey was frustrated as he was caught between a rock and a hard place. However, since there was no way out of this, he simply aimed his crosshairs at Stephen and shot back, "Did you think you're any better than me? Are you sure you didn't want some goodies from that research data?""Unlike you, I understand how important the research data is for our own medical field's advancement. I was hoping it could have been used to its full potential, only for you to ruin everything. I hate myself for being a poor judge of character!"As both men kept arguing and even looked ready to get physical, Issac decided that he neither had the time nor the mood to listen.James received a call just then—their trackers had just finished their search."We don't have any details indicating that they left the country, sir.""I see." James hung up and turned to Isaac. "No news about them leaving the country. Maybe they are still in the country."Issac was not as optimistic.If anything, the first thin
Ember could kick herself right then. Why did she forget to delete the text?It was now fuel for Zachary to suspect her!"They were trying to blackmail me, I was just playing along so that we can arrest them—""And they had to blackmail you?" Zachary's grip over her wrist became even more forceful. "You knew you did something wrong. That's why they have leverage against you and could blackmail you—""No!" Ember kept arguing. "I didn't do anything wrong! I really wanted to arrest them, not because I was guilty and would give them money—"Zachary frowned. "Stop trying to weasel your way out of this!""I'm not!" Ember had to keep denying, or Zachary would hate her and they would be unable to hide what happened to Lulu. "I swear, I never did anything wrong, and I was really trying to get my blackmailer arrested," she persisted.Zachary actually hesitated at that."We're already married, Ember. I don't want you to hurt Lulu, so tell me already—do you know where she is?"Ember held
Mrs. Slate shielded Ember right then as she glared at her own son. "Have you gone crazy, Zachary? Are you still unable to see Lulu's true colors now?"Before Zachary could say anything, she continued, "Ember's child—no, your child and my grandchild—was lost because of that woman, or is that not enough for you? Why are you still looking for her now?!""She went missing. I'm worried—""You should be worried about Ember's health!" Mrs. Slate snapped in disappointment. "How could you ignore your own wife over another woman? Do you even know what you're doing to Ember?!"Zachary's hands clenched into fists at his sides. He had no evidence to prove that Ember knew where Lulu was and so, he had no grounds to retort against his mother.However, James was right—he could only ask Isaac for help now."She knows very well what she did. You all disappoint me."With that, he strode past them and out of the room.Ember finally came to her senses and cried, "Where are you going, Zachary?"S
When Zachary found James, he immediately said, "I need a favor.""Sorry, but I don't have the time." James refused him right then, and gave him a serious look. "Look, I'm not refusing you for the heck of it, but Irene Spencer is trouble—""Lulu might be dead for all I know." Zachary was anxious. "I need to find her soon!"James helped his gaze in silence for seconds. "You finally understand how serious this is, huh? Don't you think it's too late already?"Zachary could not deny that he had been careless, even as James continued scathingly, "If Irene didn't return to us and asked to find out what happened to Lulu, you might really have presumed that she was just hiding and let the matter be altogether. It might already be too late now."Having no retort against that, Zachary knows that he could only count on himself now. "Yeah, I know."James reminded him. "I'm sure that Ember Lindt is the key for the whole mess."Zachary snorted. "I thought you can't help?" James shot him an i
Even if Zachary did not like the idea, both Isaac and James were too busy to help.He could only count on himself to find Lulu—dead or alive!On the other hand, Ember was at once delighted and doubtful because Zachary had never been this kind to her.As if afraid that she was dreaming, she pinched herself in the arm.It hurt—she felt actual pain.She was not dreaming! Zachary was actually being nice to her!Holding his gaze, she said, "Thank you for believing me, Zachary. I promise I don't know anything about Lulu, and I didn't put up those banners…""That's enough—you don't have to say anything. I'd just let my frustrations get the better of me, so don't take it to heart," Zachary told her, gesturing for her to get into his car. "You can tell your chauffeur to drive home first.""Okay!" Ember nodded enthusiastically, sneaking glances at Zachary as she did. She was certainly obsessed with his good looks, so much so that she was crazy about him!Zachary could sense her gaze,